&#39;B Thome Gala&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of Gala apple tree, Apple Tree named ‘B. Thome Gala,’ originating as a limb mutation of the  Malus domestica  variety of ‘Simmons’, (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,840). This new variety is unique from its parent and other Gala cultivars in the prominent wide striping of the fruit and the heavy pink coloration in the blossom bud and petals.

DESCRIPTIONS OF RELATED APPLICATIONS

The new variety, ‘B. Thome Gala’ differs from its parent, ‘Simmons’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,840) and other Gala varieties in the following characteristics:

-   -   A. The new variety differs from its parent ‘Simmons’ (U.S. Plant         Pat. No. 10,840) in the broad configuration of its stripe and in         the intense pink coloration of the blossom buds and blossoms.     -   B. The new variety differs from ‘Burkitt Gala’ (U.S. Plant Pat.         No. 17,013) in its maturity date. The new variety ripens with         other Gala cultivars while ‘Burkitt Gala’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.         17,013) ripens 10 days earlier.     -   C. The new variety differs from ‘Smith Gala’ (U.S. Plant Pat.         No. 14,448) in the bloom timing. ‘Smith Gala’ (U.S. Plant Pat.         No. 14,448) blooms later than its parent and other Gala         cultivars including the new variety.     -   D. The new variety differs from ‘Banning Gala (U.S. Plant Pat.         No. 13,753) and all other known Gala cultivars in the intense         pink coloration of the blossom buds and blossoms.     -   E. The new variety differs from ‘McLaughlin Gala’ (U.S. Plant         Pat. No. 19,907) in the red coloration of its fruits.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES OF THE PLANT CLAIMED

Malus domestica

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘B. Thome Gala’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A new and distinct variety of Gala apple tree origination as a whole tree mutation of the Malus domestica variety of ‘Simmons’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,840) hereinafter referred to as the ‘B. Thome Gala’. This new sport is unique from its parent and other Gala cultivars in the prominent wide striping on the fruit and the heavy pink coloration in the blossom buds and petals.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This new and distinct variety of Gala apple tree was discovered in 2003 as a whole tree mutation of ‘Simmons’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,840), in an orchard planted in 1999 near Comstock Park, Mich. The new variety was noticed because the fruit had a more prominent stripe and the buds and blossoms exhibited more pink coloration than the parent, ‘Simmons’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,840)

Observations during the next two seasons confirmed that the fruit colored with a bold, thick stripe as opposed to the parent which colors with a fine stripe. The blossoms and blossom buds of the new variety exhibited a much higher degree of pink coloration than the parent.

In August of 2003, buds were taken from the original tree and 100 trees for further testing were reproduced by chip budding into 100 trees on M9 RN29, (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,714) rootstock in Brentwood, Calif. The new variety has remained true to the description herein contained. The new variety has not been grown on its own root.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographs show typical specimens of the new variety as depicted in color as nearly true as is reasonably possible in color illustrations of this character. These specimens were obtained in Comstock Park, Kent County, Mich. 49345.

FIG. 1 illustrates the fruits and foliage of the new variety at maturity.

FIG. 2 illustrates 6 specimens of the fruit of the new variety showing the prominent stripe.

FIG. 3 illustrates blossoms of the new variety showing the pink coloration of buds and blossoms.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

A detailed description of the ‘B. Thome Gala’ cultivar follows using The Royal Horticultural Society of London Colour Chart, 1986 edition, for color identification except where general color terms are sufficient.

-   Parentage: A whole tree mutation of ‘Simmons’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.     10,840) Locality of the original discovery and observations is 1600     Eight Mile Road, Comstock Park, Mich. 49321. -   Tree:     -   -   Age.—6 years.         -   Size.—Large, height 2.5 m, width 1 m.         -   Vigor.—Vigorous, yearly growth averages 1 m.         -   Density.—Medium.         -   Form.—Upright, spreading.         -   Production.—Very productive, averaging 800 bushels per acre.         -   Growth type.—Non-spur.         -   Bearing.—Annual. -   Trunk:     -   -   Diameter.—68 cm, 40 cm above ground level.         -   Bark.—smooth, color Grey 201C with an undercolor of Grayed             Orange 165C.         -   Lenticels.—2 to 8 mm in length, 1 mm in width, color Grayed             Orange 165C. -   Branches:     -   -   5 year old branch.—28 mm in diameter, color Gray 201C.         -   4 year old branch.—16 mm in diameter, color Gray 201C.         -   3 year old branch.—11 mm in diameter, length 30 to 40 cm,             color Gray 201C.         -   2 year old branch.—6 mm in diameter, length 25 to 40 am,             color Gray 201B.         -   1 year old branch.—15 to 20 mm in diameter, length 25 to 40             cm, color Grayed Purple 183A; lenticels 0.1 mm in diameter,             round, color Grayed Yellow 161A. -   Leaves:     -   -   Size.—length 110 to 120 mm, width 75 to 85 mm.         -   Texture.—leathery, crisp.         -   Form.—broadly lanceolate.         -   Base.—bluntly pointed.         -   Apex.—bluntly pointed.         -   Adaxial surface pubescence.—none.         -   Abaxial pubescence.—very fine.         -   Adaxial surface color.—Yellow Green 147A.         -   Abaxial surface color.—Yellow Green 14 C.         -   Venation.—pinnate, 10-12 veins, mainly alternate.         -   Mid-vein.—mainly Yellow Green 151C.         -   Margin.—serrate.         -   Leaf glands.—absent.         -   Petiole length.—30 to 45 mm.         -   Petiole width.—2 mm.         -   Petiole color.—Yellow Green 14 B with some Red Purple 60B at             base and abscission layer.         -   Petiole groove.—none observed.         -   Stipules.—very fine, at the base of the petiole on almost             all leaves.         -   Stipule length.—7 mm.         -   Stipule width.—0.5 mm.         -   Stipule color.—Yellow Green 147B. -   Leaf buds:     -   -   Length.—5 mm.         -   Width.—4 mm.         -   Color.—Grayed Purple 183A.         -   Placement on branch.—tightly applied to the branch.         -   Internode distance.—30 mm. -   Spurs: present on 2^(nd) year and older wood.     -   -   i Length.—6 to 8 mm.         -   Width.—4 to 6 mm.         -   Color.—Grayed Orange 177A. -   Flowers: Mid-season bloom, May 13 in Comstock Park, Mich.     -   -   Pollination requirements.—any diploid variety in the same             season except pollen from golden delicious or any other gala             sport.         -   Presentation.—very showy.         -   Fragrance.—fragrant. -   Flowers at popcorn stage:     -   -   Pedicle.—length 18 to 22 mm, diameter 2 mm.         -   Pedicel color.—Grayed Green 195A.         -   Bud.—length 9 mm, width 7 to 8 mm.         -   Bud color.—Full blush of Red Purple 73B with background of             White 155D. -   Flowers at full bloom:     -   -   Corolla diameter.—large 75 to 85 mm when fully open.         -   Number of flowers per cluster.—3 to 5.         -   Petals.—Arrangement: separate Color: White 155D with a             distinct blush throughout of Red Purple 73B, especially             prominent around veins. Petal Veins: White 155D on 30% of             petals, remaining petals showing distinct vein coloration of             Red Purple 73B extending from base of 145 petal to apex.             Shape: Broadly ovate, base rounded to abruptly cuneate at             junction with receptacle, apex rounded with slight tip.             Entire petal is cupped with basin 5 mm deep basin from the             edge to the center of the petal. Margin: straight with             occasional ruffling at the apex. Size: length 30 to 35 mm,             width 20 to 25 mm. Texture: firm.         -   Pedicel.—length 25 to 27 mm, width 2 mm, color Yellow Green             145 D.         -   Sepals.—5 in number, wedge shaped, sharply pointed, length 5             mm, width 5 mm, color Yellow Green 145 D.         -   Filaments.—length 10 to 12 mm, width 0.3 mm, color White 155             D at junction with anther.         -   Anthers.—length 2 mm, width 1 mm, color Yellow 4 C.         -   Pistil.—held slightly lower than anthers in a majority of             blossoms.         -   Ovary.—length, 4 mm, width 1.5 mm, pubescent, color Yellow             Green 145 D.         -   Stigma.—width 1 mm, pubescent, color Green White 157 C.         -   Style.—length 3 mm, width 1 mm, color Green White 157 C. -   Fruit: maturity when described, firm ripe.     -   -   Size.—uniform; axial diameter, 8 cm″; transverse diameter,             7.5 cm.         -   Form.—globose.         -   Cavity.—symmetrical; abrupt at base; apex acuminate; depth,             1.5 cm, breadth 2 cm markings: none.         -   Basin.—symmetrical; rounded; wide; breadth 2.5 cm; depth,             1.5 cm; markings, none.         -   Calyx.—closed.         -   Segments.—broadly lanceolate; reflexed from base at apex;             approximate.         -   Outer surface.—pubescent, color Grayed Greed 191B.         -   Inner surface.—pubescent, color Grayed Green 191 C.         -   Eye.—closed. -   Skin: thin; smooth; waxed; glossy.     -   -   General color effect.—Bright prominent wide, red stripe over             100% of fruit, background red, very attractive appearance.         -   Stripe.—averages 10 mm to 15 mm in width covering the entire             length of the fruit. Color Red 46 A to Red 45 A.         -   Background color.—Yellow 8 B.         -   Dots.—round, 1 mm in diameter, scattered throughout surface,             color Yellow 8 B.         -   Flesh.—Juicy; satiny.         -   Color.—Yellow Orange 19 D.         -   Texture.—firm; tender; fine; crisp.         -   Flavor.—sweet; aromatic.         -   Quality.—best. -   Core: Bundle area: small; oblate.     -   -   Bundles.—inconspicuous; in one whorl.         -   Core lines.—clasping; indistinct.         -   Calyx-tube.—funnel form; glabrose toward base.         -   Stem of funnel.—long.         -   Depth of tube to shoulder.—9 mm.         -   Entire depth.—21 mm.         -   Auxiliary cavity.—present.         -   Seed cells.—axile, open.         -   Cell walls.—medium thin.         -   Length.—16 mm.         -   Breadth.—6 mm.         -   Longitudinal section.—orbicular, obtuse at apex.         -   Surface.—smooth.         -   Cross section.—broad. -   Seeds: Number perfect: 6 to 10.     -   -   Number in one cell.—2.         -   Length.—7 mm.         -   Breadth.—4 mm.         -   Color.—Brown 200 B.         -   Stem.—length, 2.5 cm breadth 6 mm at head decreasing to 4 mm             at base, clubbed at head. Color: Grayed Orange 166B.         -   Use.—Processing, fresh market, dessert.         -   Shipping quality.—Good, subject to stem puncture.         -   Keeping quality.—Excellent, 90 to 120 days in common             storage, 6 months in controlled atmosphere storage.         -   Tree winter hardiness.—Average for an apple variety. Tree is             hardy to −20° to −25° F.         -   Bud winter hardiness.—−10° to −15° F., depending on the             stage of development of the bud.         -   Drought tolerance.—Average for an apple variety. Normal             requirements average ½″ of rain per week. Severe drought             adversely affects fruit size and quality.         -   Disease resistance.—Susceptible to fire blight (Erwinia             amylovora) and other bacterial diseases. Moderately             susceptible to apple scab (Venturia inaequalis), powdery             mildew (Podosphaera leucotricha), and other fungal diseases. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of apple tree, Malus domestica, substantially as herein shown and described. 